Transfer Talk: Man United, Liverpool, Bayern monitor Pulisic
The January transfer window may seem like a distant memory, but that doesn’t mean the rumour mill has shut down! Speculation over summer moves is heating up so check out the latest gossip below, and see all official deals here.
The United States international has not played as much as he will have liked since manager Thomas Tuchel arrived at Stamford Bridge in January, and Pulisic hasn’t started a single Premier League game.
However, if Pulisic does grow tired of his lack of first-team opportunities, the trio of European giants have been put on high alert.
22.20 GMT: That will do it for the latest edition of our LIVE Transfer Talk blog. We hoped you enjoyed following along with us and remind you to check back shortly for the latest transfer rumours, reports and completed deals. Goodnight!
Football Insider understands that is a real possibility, with club sources revealing they don’t expect the misfiring forward to see out the entirety of his five-year deal. Signed for €45 million from RB Leipzig, Werner has scored just five Premier League goals in 27 appearances, and looks a forward completely devoid of any confidence at the moment.
Werner scored 34 goals in 45 games over all competitions last season for Leipzig and could be keen to return to his native Germany due to his struggles.
20.55 GMT: AC Milan currently have two forwards in form in Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Rafael Leao.
Calciomercato, though, suggests the club are looking to bring in another young striker with a long-term vision in mind. The report lists Santos and Brazil underage star Kaio Jorge and PSV’s Donyell Malen as two potential targets for the Rossoneri.
Jorge, 19, is considered the future No. 9 for the Selecao, while Malen, 22, is in the midst of his third-straight double-digit goalscoring season in the Eredivisie.
20.02 GMT: Riyad Mahrez scored two goals on Wednesday in a 5-2 win vs. Southampton but are his days at City numbered?
Foot Mercato claims that the Algeria international, 30, is a player of interest for Real Madrid, although a deal would not be easy. The report suggests that Zinedine Zidane is an admirer of the City wide man, and that Madrid have recently enquired about his availability.
With none of Eden Hazard, Marco Asensio, Rodrygo or Vinicius Junior convincing on the wings, Madrid’s interest in Mahrez would make sense.
19.08 GMT: Should Liverpool break up their famous front three and move for Leeds sensation Raphinha?
“These types of players you can see they can play in the Premier League,” he told HorseRacing.net. ‘He’s only just entered the Premier League so the fact that he’s hit the ground running is a big plus. He has a lot of skill and a lot of talent.
“I don’t want to disrespect Leeds but of course he could play for a big six club. He could easily fit in a team like that. I just think Liverpool need a player who can change the way they play a bit.
“Someone like Raphinha who can play a bit wide and is someone a bit different to what they’ve got, I think that’s the most important,” he added.
“They need to be able to change their style and how they play and a Raphinha could easily fit into that mould. It’s something that Liverpool have to have a really good think about, the transfer committee really have to put their heads together.”
Raphinha, 24, has scored seven goals and dished out seven assists this season after arriving this fall from Rennes for around £17 million.
18.29 GMT: Sheffield Wednesday’s Luke Shaw was expected to join Celtic this summer but hold on one second…
Wednesday are investigating the pre-contract the 19-year-old signed with the Hoops and released an official statement on Wednesday.
“Sheffield Wednesday can confirm that midfielder Liam Shaw has signed a pre-contract agreement with Scottish Premiership side Celtic.
“We are currently investigating this matter and will consider if there are any further steps available to protect the club’s interest.
“It was not our intention to place this development into the public domain out of respect to all parties concerned.
Stay tuned…
17.47 GMT: Brest midfielder Romain Faivre is having a breakout season in Ligue 1 and a plethora of top clubs have taken notice.
Roma, Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund are all monitoring the 22-year-old, according to Calciomercato. A France Under-21 international, Faivre has amassed five goals and three assists this season for upstart Brest and looks to be a player with a bright future.
17.00 GMT: Juventus are having some issues, as their Champions League exit proved, but who is to blame?
15.53 GMT: Santos wonderkid Angelo Gabriel is on the radar of Liverpool, according to Sport Witness.
Angelo, 16, made his debut for the club in October (at the age of 15) and the forward reportedly has a release clause of €60m in his contract.
Real Madrid are usually excellent at getting the jump on their rivals when it comes to signing young Brazilian talent and they are also interested, but Liverpool are monitoring his development too.
15.20 GMT: With questions hanging over the future of three of Paris Saint-Germain’s biggest stars, it is likely they will need to sign a new top-level option in attack this summer. Tor-Kristian Karlsen breaks down five options they should target instead of Barcelona’s Lionel Messi.
– Mohamed Salah, 28, Liverpool
– Jadon Sancho, 20, Borussia Dortmund
– Lautaro Martinez, 23, Inter Milan
– Memphis Depay, 27, Lyon
– Mikel Oyarzabal, 23, Real Sociedad
14.48 GMT: TyC Sports reports that Barcelona have made an approach to sign Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero.
Aguero, 32, is out of contract in the summer and Barcelona’s new president Joan Laporta has reportedly made his first move to bring in the Argentina international.
City want to keep Aguero but are powerless to stop him leaving and Paris Saint Germain, Inter Milan and Inter Miami have all shown interest in signing him.
TyC claims that Barca signing Aguero may be part of the plans to try and persuade his fellow countryman and friend, Lionel Messi, to stay at Camp Nou.
Messi, 33, is also a free agent in the summer and has stated that he wants to leave Barca, with Manchester City and PSG favourites to land him. However, Laporta is confident that his relationship with the world’s best player will help smooth over any issues he has with the club.
14.15 GMT: Mexico and Wolves striker Raul Jimenez was being linked with a €70m move to Manchester United in 2020 but after suffering a serious skull fracture this season he may never be the same.
1:53
The FC guys chime in on the numerous disappointments in Juventus’ Champions League exit in the round of 16.
13.08 GMT: Paris Saint-Germain star forward Kylian Mbappe still hasn’t agreed a new contract, despite his current terms ending in 2022, and El Larguero says he’s turned down three offers so far.
Mbappe, 22, has been linked with a move to Real Madrid or Liverpool and, as one of the world’s top young stars, may bring in around €200m if he leaves before his contract enters the final year.
The Spanish radio platform insists that Mbappe doesn’t want to renew and is keen on departing Paris. However, if he gets an annual salary of €35m to bring him to parity with teammate Neymar, he may consider staying.
12.32 GMT: The signings of Eric Garcia and Emerson and the possible arrival of a new forward are among the first decisions facing new Barcelona president Joan Laporta, sources have told ESPN’s Moises Llorens.
Barca had been without a president for almost four months, which left them paralysed in the 2021 January transfer window, but they can finally begin to plan for next season following Sunday’s appointment of Laporta.
There was a deal in place to sign Manchester City defender Garcia in January but the club were unable to complete the transfer as there was no one with the authority to sanction it.
With Garcia, who left Barca for City in 2017, out of contract in the summer, Laporta, in collaboration with coach Ronald Koeman and the sporting directorate, must now decide whether to sign him for free. Terms have already been agreed.
Another deal already in place but not yet finalised involves Real Betis right-back Emerson, whose contract is owned by both clubs. Barca have an option to take over 100% of his economic rights this summer for a fee of €6-8m.
However, with Sergino Dest signed from Ajax last summer for €20m, there are doubts about what to do with Emerson.
Finally, Laporta knows signing a striker is a priority following the sale of Luis Suarez. Erling Haaland is a wanted man across Europe and Laporta benefits from a good relationship with his agent, Mino Raiola, but sources said it will be almost impossible to sign the Borussia Dortmund striker given the financial problems at the club.
City’s Sergio Aguero is out of contract in the summer and has been offered to the club, while ESPN have previously revealed Barca are tracking Real Sociedad’s Alexander Isak and Benfica’s Darwin Nunez.
11.48 GMT: Erling Haaland has reached 20 goals in the Champions League quicker than anyone. Surely he’ll leave Dortmund for a bigger club soon?
1:37
Sebi Salazar and Herc Gomez of “Futbol Americas” address Raúl Jiménez’s return to soccer.
11.19 GMT: Barcelona elected Joan Laporta as president. Graham Hunter writes what it means for Lionel Messi, the club’s €1.1bn debt and squad rebuilding plans for the summer.
For the squad, there will be improvements no matter what. However he manages it — and I’d not be at all surprised if Laporta has a pre-arranged, nine-figure credit line aimed at staunching immediate existing debt repayments, renewing crucial contracts and making star signings — Laporta will treat it as a primary task to make Barcelona competitive in Europe again. And, based on the green shoots this season, Spanish champions by 2022 at latest.
Messi’s future, however, is a different ball game. Sunday’s jigsaw of media images and soundbites — Barcelona’s captain taking his son to the Camp Nou to vote in the presidential elections, Laporta’s pre-election promise that a vote for anyone else was likely to reduce the chances of Messi staying, and the new president’s claim that Barcelona’s superstar then called to congratulate him on Sunday night — all hint that it’s not going to be “adios, then” to their magical No. 10.
11.01 GMT: Bild reports that Bayern Munich will be looking to move on centre-back Jerome Boateng this summer.
Boateng, 32, has slipped down the pecking order and will fall even further when €42.5m new signing Dayot Upamecano arrives this summer from RB Leipzig. Talks with 25-year-old Niklas Sule will also start over a new contract and Boateng reportedly feels under-appreciated at the club.
Chelsea and Liverpool have been linked with the Germany international.
10.21 GMT: Raphael Varane wants to leave Real Madrid this summer, according to AS.
Varane, 27, has not signed a contract extension as he is reportedly keen to leave the club in search of a new experience, preferably in the Premier League. The centre-back, who is in his 10th season with Los Blancos, has a contract with the Spanish giants until June 2022.
Real Madrid know Varane’s intention is to listen to offers at the end of the season but are still hopeful of convincing the France international to remain at the club. However, if Varane finally decides to leave, Madrid are prepared to let him go instead of allowing him to depart as a free agent.
09.58 GMT: Is the mighty Cristiano Ronaldo on the way down?
1:36
After Erling Haaland makes more Champions League history, Julien Laurens explains why he could join Man City.
09.41 GMT: Juventus sporting director Fabio Paratici says Cristiano Ronaldo‘s contract extension is not currently on the agenda of the club and the arrival of Barcelona’s Lionel Messi in Turin this summer is “highly unlikely.”
Ronaldo, 36, has scored 27 goals in 32 appearances in all competitions for Juve this season but failed to find the back of the net in both Champions League encounters against FC Porto as Juve were again eliminated from the competition in the round of 16. Juve won 3-2 on Tuesday but lost on away goals.
The Portugal captain has a contract with the Turin giants until June 2022 but, speaking prior to Tuesday’s game, Paratici said: “Fortunately, there’s a year left on his contract; we have time eventually to discuss it with him. Let’s just say it’s not on the agenda right now.”
Paratici also said Ronaldo will be the one to make the decision.
“Cristiano has his career in his hands,” he said. “Always with these great players you know that when they decide to end their experience with one team and move on to another experience, it’s they who decide, and you have to respect that decision. We have to consider how he will feel in order to continue or not once his contract expires.”
Paratici, meanwhile, all but ruled out the possibility that Messi, who becomes a free agent this summer, could arrive at Juve.
“It’s always easy to get great players play together, but at this time, all football must think differently,” he added. “Hence, I truly think this idea is highly unlikely.”
09.21 GMT: Manchester United forward Edinson Cavani “has not decided” yet where he will play next season despite his father hinting the striker will leave the Premier League in the summer to play for Boca Juniors, sources told ESPN’s Moises Llorens.
Luis Cavani, the father of the Uruguay striker, told Argentina’s TyC Sports that his son had a “60% chance of joining a South American club” and would be inclined to play for Boca Juniors.
“There is nothing at all,” sources close to Cavani told ESPN. “Edinson is happy in Manchester. He considers United to be one of the great clubs in the world and he wants to enjoy the end of the season there, and only after that he will think about his future.”
08.30 GMT: Can Manchester United persuade talismanic midfielder Bruno Fernandes to extend his contract? The Sun reports that he has demanded assurances about the club’s transfer strategy before he commits to a bumper new contract.
United have no immediate rush, with the Portuguese star tied to the Old Trafford club until the summer of 2025 — with the option of a further year in the club’s favour. However, the report states they are ready to offer him a £200,000-a-week deal, which would double his salary, to further tie down his future and reward his stellar performances .
But The Sun says the 26-year-old has asked United bosses what they plans are to turn the club into genuine title challengers once again before committing.
1:45
Craig Burley examines what Juventus’ elimination from the Champions League could mean for Cristiano Ronaldo.
PAPER ROUND
Laporta’s Barcelona wishlist revealed
News of Joan Laporta’s transfer targets has emerged after he was elected Barcelona president on Sunday.
According to Sport, Laporta has his eyes 20-year-old centre-back Eric Garcia of Manchester City (which will come as no real surprise given the links over the past year), and Lyon’s 27-year-old attacker Memphis Depay, as both are due to become free agents in the summer.
Other possible free agents being targeted are Garcia’s City teammate Sergio Aguero, as well as Bayern Munich defender David Alaba, who has attracted attention from every top club in Europe.
It is also suggested that Laporta could try and recruit Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland, utilising his positive relationship with the Norway international’s agent, Mino Raiola. However, it seems highly unlikely that Barca’s dire financial position would allow them to enter the race for the 20-year-old.
Oblak a target for Man United
Dean Henderson impressed during Manchester United’s derby win over City, but David de Gea may not be the only man he needs to regard as possible competition for the No. 1 jersey.
Sky Sports have suggested that the Red Devils are considering a move for Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak.
The 28-year-old has a €120m release clause, which may prove to be a stumbling block for any prospective deal, but they are keen to enhance their options in goal.
There are backup options too, as the report states that United are looking at AC Milan’s Gianluigi Donnarumma, 22, who could be a free agent this summer, and 25-year-old Lille stopper Mike Maignan.
Tap-ins
– On the day that his father said he’s unhappy at Manchester United and preparing to return to South America, reportedly to Argentine giants Boca Juniors, 34-year-old forward Edinson Cavani posted to Instagram on Tuesday that he feels proud to wear the Red Devils shirt.
– Gianluigi Donnarumma will be a free agent in the summer if his AC Milan contract is not renewed, and Sky Sport Italia reports that the Serie A side are working on a deal to ensure that isn’t the case, while the 22-year-old is open to staying. The presence of agent Mino Raiola means this may not be as simple as expected, though, as he is contacting clubs, including Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain, to see if they can provide a fair offer for Donnarumma to move elsewhere.
– Inter Milan may be looking to offload midfielder Arturo Vidal, with Brazilian side Flamengo showing interest in signing the Chilean, reports Calciomercato. The 33-year-old has endured his struggles this term, and Christian Eriksen now has a better chance of staying after previously being close to the exit door. This could be something that works out well for Vidal, as he has shown a desire to represent Flamengo in the past.